Device for loading vessels.



- No. 717,682. PATENTED JAN. 6, 1903. I. HONECK & H. HOPKINS. DEVICE FOR LOADING VESSELS.

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No. 717,682. PATENTED JAN. 6, 1903. IF. HONEGK & R. H. HOPKINS. DEVIGE FOR LOADING VESSELS.

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No. 717,682. I PATENTED JAN- 6- 1903. F. HONEGK & R. HOPKINS. DEVICE FOR LOADING VBSSELS.

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DEVICE FOR LOADING VESSELS .EPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 71'7,82, dated January 6, 1903 Application filed April 17, 19022.

To all whom zit may concern.

Be it known that we, FRANK HONECK and ROBERT I-I. HOPKINS, citizens of the'United States, residing at Seattle, in the county of King and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Loading Vessels; and we do'hereby declare the following to he a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in devices'for coaling vessels at sea while in motion.

Heretofore it has been proposed to transport coal from a collier or pulling boat to a pulled boat by an aerial tramway or cable or track; but this method has been found objectionable for the reason that it requires spe ciallyconstructed colliers and means for Furthermore, there is great danger of injury and damage not only to the collier, but to the vessel being coaled. The aim heretofore has been to provide means whereby the transporting vessel shall be carried in the air out of the influence of the waves. This has the objection that it necessitates great strain on not only the collier, but on the mast from which the cable is supported, not only on the collier, but on the vessel being coaled. It has further been proposed to transport materials from one vessel to another by means of a buoyant bag having means for securingits mouth after it has been loaded with the material and a float placed thereupon and this bag then tied to a rope or the like, which is thrown overboard and allowed to float or drift till picked up by a following boat or vessel. This is a slow and unreliable method of coaling a vessel, for the reason that the rope or the fastenings of the bags thereto are liable to become broken or the bags to become entangled with a floating objector the propellers of a vessel, and, furthermore, they require the picking up, which in heavy seas is not an easy task. Furthermore, this bag is a collapsible affair and easily punctured or torn and cannot serve the purpose of a life-raft, which our transporting vessel will do.

The presentinvention has for its objects, among others, to provide a simple and effi- Serial Nd. 103,314. (No model.)

cient means whereby coal or other materials may be transported from one vessel to another while in'motion, not by an aerial cable or other support, but through the water, the transporting-receptacle being guided during its transit and at all times under the control of and securely retained by suitable means connecting one vessel with the other. We utilize the motion of the vessels through the water for the purpose of moving the transporting-receptacle, and the rocking of the vessels causes no strain on the masts or other parts of either vessel. The transporting-receptacle is buoyant, so .that it practically floats during its transposition, and this receptacle is also of such a nature and construction as to serve as a life boat or raft when necessary, it being designed thatwhen not in use for transporting materials from one vessel to the other it shall be placed in such position as to be ready for use in case of accident to the vessel. Suitable means are provided for the easy charging of the receptacle, as well as for its being readily handled, both prior to its loading and after it isreceived on the vessel to be coaled, and for dumping its contents and sending it on its return to the collier. No special construction of either the collier or of the vessel is necessary. The transporting vessel travels on a rope orcable connecting the two vessels in proximity to the Water-line.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and the novel features thereof will be specifically defined by the appended claims.

The invention in its preferable form is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the numerals of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure l is an elevation showingthe application of the invention, parts only of the collier and vessel, being coaled being shown. Fig. 2 is a detail, on an enlarged scale, showing the transporting vessel and its support while beingloaded. Fig. 3 is a substantially central vertical longitudinal section through the transporting vessel. Fig. lis aviewlooking toward the rear end of the vessel seen in Fig. 2 with the door closed. Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the support for holding the trans porting-receptacle while it is being loaded.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged substantially central vertical longitudinal section through the transporting-receptacle, showing its application for use as a life-raft. Fig. 7 is a sectional detail more particularly hereinafter referred to.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.

While hereinbefore the invention has been referred to as applied to vessels while in motion, it is evident that the same is applicable for use when the vessels are at sea and not in motion or while they are in any position where it becomes desirable to load the one vessel from the other at a distance.

The vessel and collier, portions of which only are herein illustrated in Fig. 1, may be of any of the well-known type and the application thereto requires no special construction of either vessel, the improvements being readily applied to such vessels nowin use, as will be readily understood as the description proceeds.

Referring, then, to the drawings, 1 designates a collier or pulling vessel, 2 the vessel being pulled thereby, and 3 the pulling rope or cable connecting the two vessels in any of the well-known ways. It is to be understood that the vessel 2 may be coaled from the pulling vessel 1 either when said vessels are in close proximity to each other or separated any required distance, the present illustration being merely for the purpose of exhibiting the principle involved in this invention without. any intention of restricting the said invention to the proximity of the vessels to each other, the rate of speed at which they are traveling, or the style of vessel, either the collier or the vessel being tugged thereby.

Referring to Fig. 1, 4 designates a cable extending from one vessel to the other and supported in any suitable mannerin a low-down position, being shown in this instance as supported from the davits of the two vessels, and this cable may be extended as far forward on the vessel 1 and as far rearward on the vessel 2 as maybe deemed most expedient. This cable may be more or less slack, as may be found most desirable in use, and serves as a guideway or runner upon which the transporting vessel is guided in its movement from one vessel to the other.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 3 the transporting receptacle or vessel 6 is constructed of metal and preferably in the shape of a torpedo or projectile having an airchamber 7, the forward end of which is tapered or inclined as illustrated and may be provided with any suitable means, as a lug 8, to which may be attached a cord or a rope or cable 9. This chamber 7 is shown as provided with an opening which is closed by a suitable closure 10, made air and water tight in any of the well-known ways. This airchamber is of sufficient dimensions to displace a volume of water of slightly-greater weight than that of the receptacle when loaded, so that the receptacle will be buoyant under all riiesz conditions for a purpose which will be hereinafter more clearly set forth. The rear portion 11 of this receptacle, which is separated from the air-compartment 7 by a partition 12, is provided with an opening l3,which is closed by a suitable door 14, hinged atits forward end, as at 15, in any suitable manner, the hinge being shown as located in a depression or offset 16, so that when closed its outer surface will be in line with or below the outer face of the body of the receptacle, so as to offer as little resistance as possible to its passage through tlie water. This door is designed to be made water-tight in its closure and locked in its closed position by means which willhereinafterbeparticularlysetforth. The rear end of this compartment 11 is made inclined or sloping to facilitate the loading of the coal and when the transporting vessel is received on the vessel to be coaled and hoisted into its dumping position to facilitate the discharge of coal therefrom. This sloping end also serves a further function in that it provides a space or chamber 18 at the rear end of the transporting vessel, in which space is disposed the mechanism which controls the opening and closing of the door 14:. This mechanism may be of any suitable character adapted for the purpose, and we wish it distinctly understood that we do not intend to restrict ourselves to the particular form herein shown and now to be described in connection with the other features of our invention, as the same results can be attained by other means, and the means for controlling the door of the transporting-receptacle do not in any wise materially affect the operation of the invention in its other respects. The door 14 is provided with a projecting flange 19 at its rear end, and this projecting end is designed to be engaged by the hooked upper ends 20 of the rack-bars 21, which are mounted for movement in suitable guides 22, secured to the opposite walls 23 of the compartment at the rear end of the transporting vessel. The

rack-bars 21 have meshing therewith pinions 24, one near each end of a shaft 25, the ends of which are journaled in the side portions 23, and projecting from this shaft is the arm or bar 26, to the lower end of which is connected a cord or chain 27, whereby the shaft may be revolved, and in its revolution the pinions carried thereby, meshing with the teeth of the rack-bars 21, cause the same to move simultaneously up or down, according to the direction of the movement of the shaft. Springs 28, coiled around said shaft 25 in opposite directions and having their ends secured in any suitable manner to the rear wall 30 of the compartment at the rear end of the .transporting vessel, serve to rotate the shaft in a direction contrary to that given it by the movement of the arm 26. A brace-rod 31 (seen best in Fig. 4) serves to connect and brace walls 23in a manner which will be readily understood. The bottom wall of the compartment at the rear of the transporting vessel is provided with an opening 32, and the rear wall is provided. with an opening 33 for the passage of the controlling-cord 27, as will be readily understood from Fig. 3. It is evident, however, that the opening 32 in the bottom of this chamber maybe omitted, as indicated in Fig. 6. The transporting vessel is provided at diametrically opposite sides with the flanges or fins 34, as seen clearly in Fig. 4, and for a purpose which will hereinafter appear.

35 is a supporting-frame upon which the transporting-receptacle is designed to be supported while being loaded and upon which it is received upon its return from the vessel afterhaving discharged its contents. It con1- prises triangular supports 36, which are braced transversely by suit-able brace-rods 37, and to the upper ends of these supports is pivoted at 38 the carriage or ways 39, upon which the transporting-receptacle is received and down which it slides as it is given its first impetus when started on its course toward the vessel to which the coal is to be conveyed. These, ways are connected at opposite ends by the supports 40 and 41, which latter are connected centrally by the longitudinal member 42. The rear end of the longitudinal member 42 is provided with a slot 43, in which works a latch 44, carried by aspring-plate 45, secured at one end, as at 46, to the under side of said member and the other end of said plate projecting through an opening 47, disposed centraliyin the rear member 41, the

projecting end 48 extending a sufi'icient distance to be easily manipulated by the operator when desired.

49 represents toggle-levers pivotally connected at 50 and their other ends pivotally connected, one, as at 51, to one of the side members or ways 39 and the other end pivotally mounted upon the adjacent lower cross members 37, all as seen clearly in Fig. 2. By this construction when the parts are in the position in which they are seen in Fig. 2, the toggle-levers being straightened, the ways are firmly braced in their inclined position, as shown, and the latch 44: being engaged in the opening 32 of the bottom wall of the compartment 18 of the transportingreceptacle the latter will be held in its position as indicated in said Fig. 2 and also upon the vessel in Fig. 1. By breaking the joint of the toggle-levers after the transporting-receptacle has been moved therefrom the support 35 may be tilted in the opposite direction, where it will be firmly held ready to receive the empty transporting-receptacle as it returns from the vessel 2 after having discharged its load.

In practice the support 35 is placed in position upon the vessel 1, where it may be secured in any suitable mannernot material, however,to the presentinvention. The transporting vessel being retained in position, as seen in Fig. 1 and more plainlyin Fig. 2, the cord 27 is pulled, so as to open the door 14, it being noted that the transporting vessel is disposed beneath the chute 52, so that the coal passing therethrough will fall into the compartment 11 of the transporting vessel, and it being also understood that the coal is delivered to said chute from ahopper or otherwise, the coal being delivered to said hopper or to said chute by suitable mechanism as, for instance, an endless conveyor 53 or analogous means-it being also understood that said chute or hopper should be provided with suitable means whereby the supply may be cut ofliwhen the chamber 11 of the transporting vessel is filled.

As seen in Fig. 1, the rope or cable 9, which is attached to the forward end of the transporting vessel, is provided with a ring or the like, 54, which should be in the nature of a snap-hook or the like, so as to permit of its ready disengagement from the cable at when necessary, it being understood, as will be readily seen from Fig. 1, that this snap-hook or analogous device 54 loosely embraces the cable 4, so as to slide thereon, and the cord or cable 9 is further provided with a ring 55 for a purpose which will be hereinafter described. This ring 55 serves a double purpose, as seen at the right of Fig. 1, which serves for the attachment of one end of a rope or cable 56, the other end of which is designed to be wound upon a reel or disposed in any suitable manner upon the vessel 1 so as to pay out as the transporting vessel moves from the vessel 1 toward the vessel 2. This rope or cable 56 serves the purpose of keeping the transporting vessel under control in its passage from the vessel 1 to the vessel 2 and serves also as a'means of drawing back the empty transporting vessel after it has been discharged of its contents on the vessel 2. The transporting vessel being loaded and everything in readiness, the projecting end 48 of the plate 45 is depressed, which movement disengages the latch 44 from its engagement in the opening 32 of the bottom of the transporting vessel when said vessel is disengaged from the support 35 and by its own weight descends on the ways 39 and into the water. It is propelled from the vessel 1 to the vessel 2 by the motion of the vessels, and when it reaches the davit 5 of the vessel 2 the rope 9 IIO is grasped by a person on thelandingin proximity to said davit and the cable 57 ot' the crane or-derrick 58 on the vessel 2 is connected with the ring 55, which is attached to the cable 9, and the snap hook or ring 54 is then disengaged from the cable at and the transporting vessel hoisted by the crane or derrick 58 into the position seen at the left of Fig. Land when hoisted to a sufficient height over the coal-bunker the cord 27 is pulled, so as to disengage the means which hold the door 14 in its closed position, when the weight of the coal in the compartment 11 will cause said door to open and the coal will discharge into the bunker. The inclined bottom 17 of this compartment insures the discharge of the entire contents of the compartment 11, and after this has been done the door is closed, the transporting vessel is lowered, the snap hook or ring 54: is engaged with the cable 4, and the end of the cable 56 is engaged in the ring 55, and the empty transporting vessel is drawn to the vessel 1, where it is hauled into position to be again loaded. In practice of course there will be a plurality of these transporting vessels used, and while one is being discharged upon one vessel the other will be loaded upon the collier, and the unloaded one will be in position to be drawn back after the next loaded one has been received upon the vessel2, and thus the operation may be continued until the desired quantity of coal has been transported from the collier to the vessel 2.

It is evident that, if desired, there may be arranged a cable 4 upon each side of the vessels, so that the operation may be carried on upon both sides at once. It is also evident that while the application of the invention has been heretofore described as to vessels while in motion the same may be used in connection with vessels that are not in motion, the operation being particularly the same,except that theloaded transporting vessel is moved by hand or by a cable attached thereto, two separate cables being employed in this instance.

The transporting vessel when not in use may be arranged on deck or swung from the davits in convenient position for ready use as a life-raft in case of necessity. In Fig. 6 we have shown a transporting vessel as adapted for such use, this view showing how the provisions may be carried in the bottom of the compartment 11. It is to be understood that the buoyancy of the transporting vessel is of sufficient capacity to accommodate a number of persons. v

From the foregoing it will be seen that We have devised a novel, simple, and efficient means for coaling vessels at sea either while in motion or stationary and at the transporting vessel. It is designed also to serve a further useful purpose as described, and while the structural embodiment of the invention as heretofore disclosed is what at the present time appears to be the preferable one it is evident that the same is subject to changes, variations, and modifications, and we therefore do not intend to restrict ourselves to the details of construction herein disclosed, but reserve the right to make such changes, variations, and modifications as come within the scope of the protection prayed.

What we claim as new is 1. A pull-boat, a pulled boat, a connectingcable, a low-down guide-cable connecting said boats, and a buoyant receptacle constructed to move through the Water and to be guided on said low-down cable.

2. A pull-boat, a pulled boat, a tow-line, a guide-cable extending from one boat to the other and disposed in proximity to the waterline, a buoyant receptacle adapted to be moved through the water and having means for connecting the same movable on said guide-cable, substantially as described.

3. In a pull-boat, a pulled boat, a tow-line, a guide-line connecting said boats and disposed in proximity to the water-line,a buoyant receptacle having means whereby it is guided on said guide-line and means whereby said receptacle is held under control in its passage from one boat to the other.

4:. A pull-boat, a pulled boat, a tow-line, a low-down guide-line connecting said boats, a buoyant receptacle,a cable connected with the forward end thereof and having means for engaging the guide-line, and means on said cable for receiving a controlling-line or hoisting means, substantially as described.

5. In a vessel-coaling apparatus, a guideline adapted to be secured at its ends to supports, abuoyant air-tight receptacle provided with means to guide it on said line, and means on said receptacle for assisting in hoisting the same.

6. In a vessel-coaling apparatus, a buoyant receptacle having air-chamber and independent compartment with water-tight door and sloping end as and for the purpose specified.

7. In a vessel-coaling apparatus, a buoyant receptacle having air-chamber and independent compartment with inclined rear end, a water-tight door and means disposed at the rear of the receptacle outside said compartment for controlling said door, substantially as described.

8. In a vessel-coaling apparatus, a buoyant receptacle having air-chamber and independent compartment with inclined rear end and water-tight door, means outside said compartment for engaging said door, and means at the rear of the receptacle for controlling said means, substantially as described.

9. In a vessel-ooaling apparatus, a guideline adapted to be secured at its ends to supports, abuoyant air-tight receptacle provided with means to guide it on said line, and means on said receptacle for assisting in hoisting the same combined with the holding and launching means for said receptacle.

10. In a vessel-coaling apparatus, a buoyant receptacle havingcompartment with watertight door, rack-bars having hooked ends to engage said door, a rotatable shaft, pinions on said shaft engaging rack-bars and means for operating said shaft.

11. Inavessel-coaling apparatus,a buoyant receptacle having compartment with Watertight door, rack-bars having hooked ends to engage said door, a rotatable shaft, pinions on said shaft engaging the rack-bars and means for operating said shaft, and springs around said shaft acting in opposition to said operating means.

12. Inavessel-coalingapparatus,a buoyant receptacle having compartment with hinged door having projecting flange, rack-bars having means engaging said flange, a rotatable shaft, means thereon for actuating said rack- ICC bars, an arm projecting from said shaft and springs around said shaft with one end attached to. some fixed part, as and for the purpose specified.

13. In avessel-coalingapparatus,abuoyant receptacle having air-chamber, independent compartment and an opening upon its under side to the rear of said compartment,combined with a support having a latch to engage in said opening.

14. Inavessel-coaiing apparatns,a buoyant receptacle having air-chamber, independent compartment; and an opening upon its under side to the rear of said compartment,combined with a support having'a latch to engage in said opening. said latch having operating means extended beyond the rear end of the support.

15. In a vessel-coaling apparatus,a buoyant receptacle havinglatch-engaging means, combined with a support pivotally mounted and provided with a latch and operating means therefor, substantially as described.

16. In a vessel-coaling apparatus, the combination of asupport, Ways pivotally mounted thereon and a latch, of a buoyant receptacle mounted to move on said ways and having an opening to receive said latch.

17. In a vessel-coaling apparatus, the combination of a support, ways pivotally mounted thereon and a latch, of a buoyant receptacle mounted to move on said ways and having an opening to receive said latch, and provided with oppositely disposed guide flanges to travel on said ways.

18. In avessel-coaling apparatus,a support, Ways pivotally mounted thereon and togglelevers connecting said ways upon one side of the pivot with the lower portion of the support, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we aftix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK I-IONECK. ROBERT H. HOPKINS.

Witnesses to signature of Frank Honeck:

A. K. VETTEN, HIRAM B. GARRETT.

Witnesses to signature of Robert H. Hopkins:

HUGH M. STERLING, EVH. BOND. 

